Letter 3197
Tchaikovsky Research
| Date | 11/23 March 1887 |
|---|---|
| Addressed to | Mily Balakirev |
| Where written | Saint Petersburg |
| Language | Russian |
| Autograph Location | Saint Petersburg (Russia): National Library of Russia (ф. 834, ед. хр. 12, л. 37, 44) |
| Publication | Переписка М. А. Балакирева и П. И. Чайковского (1868-1891) [1912], p. 97 Милий Алексеевич Балакирев. Воспоминания и письма (1962), p. 183 П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XIV (1974), p. 61 |
Text and Translation
| Russian text (original) |
English translation By Luis Sundkvist |
11 марта Дорогой Милий Алексеевич!
Я не в силах больше терпеть крайнее утомление и нервное расстройство, и сегодня решаюсь уехать в деревню. Очень сокрушаюсь, что не буду свидетелем Вашего торжества. Пожалуйста, голубчик, не сердитесь. Ей-Богу, сил больше нет... Ваш П. Чайковский |
11 March Dear Mily Alekseyevich!
I am no longer physically capable of enduring this state of extreme exhaustion and frayed nerves, and today I intend to leave for the country [1]. I am very sorry that I won't be a witness to your triumph [2]. Please don't be angry, golubchik. My God, I have no more strength... Yours, P. Tchaikovsky |
Notes and References
- ↑ Tchaikovsky had been in Saint Petersburg since 23 February/7 March 1887 to prepare for the Philharmonic Society concert on 5/17 March at which he conducted a concert of his works, including the first performance in the imperial capital of his Suite No. 2. The rehearsals for this concert, as well as for his opera The Enchantress at the Mariinsky Theatre, had proven very taxing for Tchaikovsky, as he was effectively making his début as a conductor. On the day that the above brief letter was written he left for Maydanovo.
- ↑ On 12/24 March 1887 a concert conducted by Balakirev was held to mark the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Free Music School, in which he had played such a decisive role.
